Ruby E.
Coast Guard Cutter · United States · Lost 1989 · Southern California & Catalina
A Prohibition-era Coast Guard cutter that hunted rumrunners and U-boats before becoming San Diego's Wreck Alley favorite.
The Vessel and Her Loss
Commissioned in 1934 as USCGC Cyane, this 165-foot 'B'-class cutter enforced Prohibition and later conducted anti-submarine and convoy escort duty in the Pacific during World War II. Decommissioned in 1950, she was sold into commercial service and eventually renamed Ruby E. On July 18, 1989, she was intentionally sunk off Mission Beach as part of San Diego's Wreck Alley artificial reef.
Vessel
- 1934
- WPC-105
- Lake Union Dry Dock & Machine Works
- Seattle, Washington
- Steel
- 165 ft
- 32 ft
- Not established
- Diesel, twin screw
- United States Coast Guard; later Birchfield Boiler, Inc.
Loss
- July 18, 1989
- Intentional sinking
- About 2 miles off Mission Beach, San Diego
- Pacific Ocean
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
The Wreck Today
- 80-130
- Upright and largely intact; popular for penetration to the engine room
- Not established
- Not established
- Not established
Position
- 32.767° N 117.277° W
- Surveyed position
- Mission Beach, San Diego, California
California Department of Fish & Game's Guide to the Artificial Reefs of Southern California lists the Ruby E reef at 32°46'02" N, 117°16'36" W in the Mission Beach Artificial Reef complex.
Evidence
Overall confidence: Documented (82/100)
Naval service history, renaming, and sinking date.
Account of the sinking operation and depth.
A Guide to the Artificial Reefs of Southern California, CDFW
wreck position
California Wreck Divers, Ruby E
wreck position
